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Borni Te Rongopai Tukiwaho (Tuhoe/Te Arawa/Tuwharetoa) began his creative career in music, singing in cafes and bars in Europe, to gospel sounds and Disney work through Australia. Since returning to Aotearoa in 2009 he’s trained and worked in film and theatre. This year in between producing the first season for Te Pou Māori theatre, Atawhai and Pūawai Festival, directing Dominion Road the Musical, plus his own one man play…he’s also directing the 2017 Auckland Pride Gala.

Borni takes some time out to tell us about the 'best of the fest extravaganza' of performers and rainbow community icons at the Gala, on February 10 at Q Theatre, which kicks off the two week festival themed 'Pride & Progress: The Carnival Continues'.

“For me the idea of bringing our Rangatahi and Kaumātua performing together under one roof is the sensation!”

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

‘Inspirations’ an interesting thing. It’s not dependent on any specific time or time frame. I guess for me it’s about the kaupapa and the rōpu I’m working with. My drive comes from believing in the essence of each process I’m involved with and the inspiration will come from the journey and relationship. 

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style? 

I can’t answer for anyone so I asked four different people and only collected the bits I thought were cool Hahaha. 
LM: Classy, sophisticated, intelligent and deep - a brown Noel Coward but with better pipes - and a rich commitment to leadership, innovation and community. 
SJ: From the productions I have been fortunate enough to come to, I would describe your aesthetic or style as versatile, inspiring, creative, hard-working.
AJ: Stylish, sometimes understated, but never plain. I think you tend to enjoy the more fringe aspects of the arts that happen in Auckland
AJ: Total wanker (bahahahahaha my favourite)

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill? 

Being able to use my career and work as a platform for positive change.

How does your environment affect your work?

The right atmosphere is key for every aspect of creation. Like most people (I imagine) a supportive, positive, empowering space with like-minded people is important. It doesn’t have to be all sugar and spice but mutual respect is imperative. I choose to not work in any environment that counters these basic ideals.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

I’m lucky enough to be in a position to choose my work. I am a strong community based worker and have a commitment to supporting different factions. In the past few years I have been an advocate for wellbeing and suicide prevention within our performing arts community. Collaboration with friends and foundations to create a festival for MHAW, ATAWHAI and a peer support initiative called Whāriki Hauora am liaising with other peers, venues and agents to see what we can do as a collective to have a stronger connectivity integrated support network. 

Tell us a bit about your background 

I spent a lot of my life travelling and my career was primarily music based as a singer. I come from a very strong and close family, I'm lucky enough to have strong friendship ties across the globe. After years away I am a UNITEC Grad, work from our whare Te Pou with my pretty cool whanau, am on the Equity NZ board, have a strong community focus and a commitment to help create and support safe, empowering spaces to allow authentic storytelling.

Tell us about your role as Auckland Pride Gala director. What’s involved, what combination of people and resources are you working with? 

The kaupapa of the whole festival this year is really exciting. Although the Gala is the opening and just one night, there are a lot of different strings to bring together. Not only are we looking at how we will represent vignettes from work to come but we also want to honour the whakapapa of the community. Conceptually I’m looking at how we will create an organic flow encapsulating who we are, where we have come from allowing it to pulse from everyone’s arrival to departure. There are a number of components to bring together from over 20 different contributors, but we’re excited!

What are some of the highlights of the Auckland Pride Gala? 

Oh man, the talent in the festival this year is incredible and we have a plethora of must see performances, for example Jaye Chasland, Rock and Speir, Ren and Camping with Thomas Sainsbury.  For me the idea of bringing our Rangatahi and Kaumātua performing together under one roof is the sensation! Georgina Beyer MCing supported by Jaycee Tanuvasa, the amazing Michael Parmenter and guests gracing our floorboards in the same performance space as newcomer Eddie Elliot. Its a beautiful message to begin our celebrations with. 

What are some of your other recent and upcoming projects?

Te Pou is ongoing, I am currently producing our first season. Our Rangatahi has been created to support new artists with the Te Pou whanau kaupapa at the heart. I am collaborating with Renee Liang and directing her brand new musical Dominion Road the Musical. Production for both the ATAWHAI and PŪAWAI festivals begin next week. AND!! I am presenting my first ever - piece of writing. A one man play that takes you as a fly on the wall into the world of the 1980s hairdressing industry!!

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

Don’t think you can do everything by yourself. Make sure you have strong mentors you respect and knowledgeable support crews who know their shit, that you can trust and rely on. A well-oiled machine has more than one cog.

What are some of the current challenges and opportunities in the creative sector?

There is no short answer or solution to the challenges we all face in our sector these days. 

Who or what has inspired you recently?

Man this is hard too! Hahaha I'm surrounded by inspiring people, my brother’s commitment and tenacity is a constant inspiration and my friend Caitlin Smith constantly blows my mind with her talent, support and generosity. I've recently spent an amazing five weeks in Canada. I was inspired to to re-think how I approach my own career this year and put work before self. I just enjoyed my days with people I cared about. I advocate well-being and sometimes forget to include myself in the mix! Also a snow man inspired me to build more snow men as soon as possible ☺

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?

I would definitely be working in the well-being Mental Health Industry. Psychology or Counselling.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

STOP. Actually have downtime, sleep, and spend time with friends and family. Experience life don’t just exist

What’s your big idea for 2017?

My big idea? Well it may not be the expected answer, but its to have more time for life outside work and figure out how I can do the following!
the time to 'experience' 

• to be able to stop and absorb the good things
• to LIVE not just exist
• to live like there's no tomorrow, dance like nobodies watching (haha i love this one!)
• time to stop the 'stuff' and be with the ones who matter
• and to be able to throw caution to the wind as often as possible.

I'm feeling pretty privileged and hope everyone gets the chance this year!!

About ​Borni Te Rongopai Tukiwaho

Borni graduated from South Seas Film and Television School and UNITECs School of Performing and Screen Arts. He has travelled NZ with different theatre companies, has worked in theatre and film since and will appear as Carmen Rupe in the Screentime feature How to Murder Your Wife. Borni has a strong community focus and helped develop Hobson Street Theatre Company, working with the homeless through theatre. He works alongside troubled youth, GLBTQI youth, and is currently working alongside the NZ Mental Health Foundation looking at positive reinforcement within our industry. His focus is to help create safe spaces allowing self-empowerment through the arts and performance. He has a strong whanau base and often collaborates with his brother Tainui and is part of the foundation whanau for Te Pou, the new home for Māori theatre.